30 acres in Aravalis freed from mafia

GURGAON: The MCG on Friday razed illegal constructions - a multi-storey building and foundation walls of several others - over a 30 acre plot of land in the Aravalis in Baliawas village along the Delhi-Gurgaon border.

Land mafia had illegally demarcated three colonies on the plot and sold off the land, with a market value of Rs 200 crore according to MCG, to several buyers. Foundations of 80 units were already laid, while remaining units were in the process of being sold as residential properties and farmhouses. According to MCG officials, land mafia had encroached upon the 30 acre plot, in connivance with a few influential villagers.

"The violation came to light after a complaint was filed with the district town planner's office. A joint action team was formed with officials of MCG and Huda. The mafiosi were planning to build plotted colonies in the area, and had already sold a few units," said Y S Gupta, MCG joint commissioner. "The land was demarcated by the mafia, in collusion with some locals. We thought they were developers who had bought the land. A local activist, however, filed a complaint and exposed the crime," said a villager, requesting anonymity.

In the initial investigation, the officials identified Nepal Singh, Subhash and three others as those behind the crime. As per officials, action will be taken against both mafiosi and plot buyers. "We have got to know that the mafia sold off plots at a price far lower than market rates to people in Delhi and Gurgaon. It is a crime for buyers to buy land without seeking the license deed from the sellers. Strict action will thus be taken against both," said a source in DTCP.

The demolition was carried out under sections 4 and 5 of the Aravali notification, which says the hills cannot be used for any purpose other than plantation.

"As the area lies within the Aravali range, it's obvious many trees have been razed. We may analyse the damage with the help of Google images. However, as of now, we can't say anything about the damage caused to the area's green cover," said a forest official, requesting anonymity.